Cove's Redzone Pub. The NFL chat thread.

[video=youtube;qYx7YG0RsFY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYx7YG0RsFY[/video]

 

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With all the hype about Mariota atm though I tihnk he will declare as he does have a pretty good shot at going no 1. If you look at who is likely to be picking top 3 (Jags, Buccs and Vikes) they all want a QB so it is very very unlikely he doesn't get selected top 3.

Another guy who is creating a lot of interest, but is less known, is Jimmy Garoppolo (spelling may be way off ). He plays for a smaller school, but is leading the country with TD passes and all 32 teams scouts have been to watch him this year.

 

He's got a far better chance of going #1 next year. This year belongs to Clowney or Teddy. It's not likely Mariota will oust Teddy, as until this year he was all about showing potential but not really much else - he's been very, very good this year, but he's not done enough to beat out Bridgewater. Next year though, unless someone else breaks out, Mariota is odds on for #1. Garoppolo is an interesting one - I've only watched one game of his and he looks good, but I'm feeling Kellen Moore syndrome with him. Worth a late round punt for someone though, for sure.

 

My knowledge of college football/draft prospects isn't great, but wasn't Matt Barkley in a similar position to Mariota? In that the year Luck and RG3 went into the draft he was nailed on to be no 1 the following year based on the years performance, then he had a terrible season and ended up going rd 4 i think.

Is it not better to enter the draft when your stock can't really get much higher? What is the difference between say being picked 1st and 3rd?

 

Yeah a similar scenario, but the thinking is Barkley was exposed rather than regressed. You might as well say that Luck was nailed on to go #1 in 2011 but stayed in, reinforced how good he is and stuck to that spot.

There's not much difference, to be fair. There's a pride and personal achievement difference, but that depends on the person. As for the difference in contracts, let's go with two contracts I'm very familiar with - Luck's on around $22m while Trent Richardson is on $20m. A negligible difference at that point. But as I said, Mariota loves college and may well want to do what Luck did and finish his degree, while spending another year honing his skills to better prepare him for the NFL (as good as he is, he's still quite raw). Of course, it comes down to him - he may not be confident enough in his ability to hold his status at the top of the draft (not an ideal trait for a QB) and choose to cash in and go between 3-5 rather than up top. We'll find out in a few months, it could really go either way - I'd just not be surprised to see him stay in school.

 

When do they have to declare by?

As I say I don't usually take much interest in the draft until much closer to the time, but seeing as its looking pretty nailed on that we are going to have a high pick, I am paying more attention this year. I pretty much am just repeating stuff I've read from people who seem to know what they are talking about, but is Clowney really that nailed on to go top 3? Apparently he has some character flaws like he refused to play this year and hasn't been too great this season. From what I've read on him it seems he is just a physical freak, but isn't that great technically and is a bit of a diva.

 

Oh they've got ages to declare. January some time, I think.

Erm... I wouldn't say nailed on, but I'd certainly think so. In terms of raw potential, he's possibly the best pass rushing prospect in years and years. Saying he's not great technically is doing him a great injustice, but he certainly is a real physical freak - that said, lots of players are, but if they're not great technically they don't get too far. Saying he's a diva is very fair, but nobody seems to be sure what's going on this year. He's battling with some niggling injuries and his performances are struggling as a result. I wasn't a fan during the time, but people are saying it's very similar to the Julius Peppers thing in 2002 - he was incredibly talented but had a mediocre final season before the draft because of injury and motivational issues. That worked out alright!! Someone of Clowney's incredible talent won't drop from the top of the draft because of a season of playing slower because he's hurt and got a bit lazy. Any decent coaching staff will knock that right out of him. Is he a lock? No, not like Teddy who barring serious injury will be going top 3, but I'd still be shocked to see him plummet barring any more negative stories.

 

Funny thread on the Spurs board. They're discussing there the rumour that the NFL is considering to play games at White Hart Lane. With 36k seats now, and in the possible new stadium 56k seats, poor infrastructure in North London compared to Wembley or Twickenham, I personally can't see that happening. Besides, the NFL then has to pay the Spurs for the use of the stadium, don't think that figure will be lower than what Goodell pays for playing at Wembley. Could be wrong there but if anyone here has some insight in those figures, I'm really curious to find out what they are.

 

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Should kick West Ham out of the Olympic Stadium and play NFL games there.

 

Sidney Rice is out for the season, Torn ACL.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000273457/article/sidney-rice-tears-acl-will-miss-seahawks-season

 

Back to the discussion of college QBs from the other day - Brett Hundley (who most people see as the #3 QB in college currently) was believed to not be declaring for the draft, but it's come out today that he's met a couple of agencies to discuss draft plans. Seems he might well come out this year after all.

Also, if anyone has still not heard of the name Jameis Winston, then remember it now. In a few years, everyone will have heard of him.

 

So Dan, which pre-match show was better? The one at the Vikings or the one at the Jaguars?

I personally am undecided. The Vikings one had the awesome synchronisity of the cheerleaders and flame cannon, but the Jaguars one had fireworks....?

 

Vikings because Tinie Tempah is more fun than Ne-Yo. The Jaguars one was a pain in the arse too, all the fireworks made a huge smoke cloud that pissed me off for a good few minutes.

 

Heh. Also, the Vikings one had the big ass helmets and the bands of colour unravelling on the pitch for each side .

 

I'm gonna have to Cove it up and post a gif, but it made me laugh on the day being right in front of me:

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So who does everyone think is going to win:-

AFC
NFC
Super Bowl

 

Broncos, Saints, Broncos. It's hard to tell because normally the best team doesn't win it all (see Ravens last year who were average until the playoffs, same for Giants the year before etc etc) but yeah.

 

Interesting I'm going to be controversial and say:

Bengals
Packers
Bengals